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Pehrson Lodge cabin destroyed by fire

photo courtesy of Pehrson Lodge

photo courtesy of Pehrson Lodge

Posted
Thursday, September 19, 2019 4:37 pm

Jodi Summit

BEATTY TWP- A two-story log cabin at Pehrson Lodge Resort, in rural Cook, was destroyed by fire on Thursday, Sept. 19. The report of the fire came in at approximately 7:43 a.m., and Cook Fire and Ambulance, Greenwood Fire Department, and Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade responded, along with St. Louis County Sheriff Department.

“People in the neighboring cabin heard the smoke alarm going off,” said Mary Hanson, who along with her husband Eric own and operate the Lake Vermilion resort. “Then they saw the smoke and raced up to the lodge.”

While the cabin, which goes by the name Spinnaker and was built in 2002, was never engulfed in flames, the fire did cause a window to break outwards. The interior of the cabin was totally destroyed, Mary said.

Eric used fire extinguishers to try to douse the flames through the broken window while waiting for the fire department to arrive. Mary said other resort guests helped round up other cabin’s fire extinguishers to try to keep the fire in check.

“Everyone was so helpful,” she said. The resort had a dozen occupied cabins this week. The fire didn’t seem to dampen any of their guests’ vacation time. People came and went, she said, and were out fishing and kayaking while the fire fighters were on the scene.

“Someone did come in while we were talking with some of the emergency responders,” she said, “and asked if it was a bad time to ask for more firewood.”

Mary obliged, but noted that it was only to be used in the outdoor fire rings!

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the interior of the cabin and kept it from spreading to any of the nearby cabins.

“They dumped a whole tankerful of water into the cabin,” she said.

The cabin sustained heavy smoke and water damage. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.

There were no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the fire.

Mary said they are unsure if the cabin can be salvaged, or will need to be rebuilt. Their insurance agent was on scene during the fire, so the process of getting repair and rebuilding estimates is already underway.

Both Mary and Eric were grateful for the quick response of all the area first responders who were on scene, and wanted to be sure to thank all those involved.